Method of assembling vehicles in a flexible manufacturing system

Abstract

A method of assembling on a common process line a plurality of discrete assemblies is provided including providing a plurality of standardized task stations, determining at least first and second templates, each template being operative to perform an operation on a plurality of workpieces, combining at least the first and second templates in a predetermined alignment to form a process line, presenting a first assembly workpiece to be operated on by the task stations of at least the first template to form a first assembly, and presenting a second assembly workpiece to be operated on by the task stations of at least the first template to form a second assembly.

1 . A method of assembling on a common process line a plurality of discrete assemblies comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of standardized task stations;    determining at least first and second templates, each template being operative to perform an operation on a plurality of workpieces;    combining at least said first and second templates in a predetermined alignment to form a process line;    presenting a first assembly workpiece to be operated on by said task stations of at least said first template to form a first assembly; and    presenting a second assembly workpiece to be operated on by said task stations of at least said first template to form a second assembly.    
     
     
         2 . A method as described in  claim 1  wherein said discrete assemblies are automotive vehicle assemblies.  
     
     
         3 . A method as described in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said task stations presents said second assembly workpiece to a workpiece presenter which has a first tooling plate for said first assembly workpiece and to a second tooling plate for said second assembly workpiece.  
     
     
         4 . A method as described in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said task stations can change tools used to operate on said first and second assembly workpieces.  
     
     
         5 . A method as described in  claim 1  wherein said assemblies are automotive vehicle body weldments.  
     
     
         6 . A method as described in  claim 3  wherein said first and second tooling plates of said workpiece presenter are moved by a movable platform.  
     
     
         7 . A method as described in  claim 6  wherein said workpiece presenter platform translates.  
     
     
         8 . A method as described in  claim 6  comprising rotating said workpiece presenter platform.  
     
     
         9 . A method as described in  claim 8  including rotating said workpiece presenter platform about a vertical axis.  
     
     
         10 . A method as described in  claim 8  comprising rotating said workpiece platform about a horizontal axis.